Votingf



R. H. zscHAu 1,916,505

VOTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1932 4 sheets-sheet 1 July 4, 1933.

ATTORNEYS R. H. zscHAU VOTING MACHINE July 4, 1933.

Filed Jan. l5, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. @M H. ggd@ BY ATTORNEYS R. H. ZSCHAU VOTING MACHINE July 4, 1933.

Filed Jan. 15, 1932 4 sheets-sheet 5 A INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS R. H. ZSCHAU VOTING MACHINE July 4, 1933.

Filed Jan. 15, 1952 4 sheets-sheet 4 T m C E R P CANDIDATE INVENTOR. WM

ATTORNEYS,

Patented July 4, 1933 ROBERT nl z'sonati, or"T crnoinnnrr, onto vo'rnce Macri-inn ApplicationnieafJanualy 15, 193e. serial ne.

My invention relates to voting machinery and has as its object the simplification of mechanisms for' this purposetvhile at the same time, providing all the inecessary safeguards so that improper voting Will be 1mpossible.

Y Itis my object to providea machine which makes marks on ballots, in the particular eX- ample shown, the marking being a punch. My mechanism theretore,neces sarily includes means for mounting ballot holders, means for moving the ballot holders to a station for making the markings thereon, means for ad.- vancing the ballots in the holders so that each mark Will comev at a different point, means for preventing duplicate voting, means for preventing voting for more than one candidate for an otlice, and in general, a mechanism Which is simpleand toolprooiE and easy to set up and operate.

I accomplish my objects by that certain construction and arrangement of v parts of which a typical example Will-be illustrated and described, and I hereby refer to the appended claims for a statement of the novelty and invention which resides in the illustrated constructionand its mechanical equivalents.

In the drawings:

Figure 1ris a verticalsection through the machine showing the parts inA position just preceding a voting operation. i

Figure 2 is a like section, only fragmentary, showing the parts in position after the first voting operation.v

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 ot Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view partly broken awa-y, of the machine'.

Figure 5 is aplan view of one of the ballot holders.

Figure 6 is a sideelevation of one of the ballot holders.

Figure 7 is'one elevation, and Figure 8 another elevation ofthe ballot punch.

Figure 9 is a plan vieWof the ballot.

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the actu'- ating slide. 4 y

The machine vas illustrated, is mountedon a base 1, which can be setlonthe'tableof a voting booth. liocat'ed centrally of this base so that the sleeve can be dropped over the post and revolved thereon.V There areoollars 11 and 12 Which are fast on the sleeve). The collar 11 serves to'mou'nt a cylindrical block 13, which block `4has vertiealslots 14 therein, one slot foreach ballot holder. On .top of the block is a plate 15 Whichis provided with slots 16,'engaging around sere-Ws 1'? in the block, so that the plate 15 can be moved with respect to the screws and clamped into position by Wing nuts 18 on the screw', rlhe plate has teeth 19'tvhich depending on the position oit the plate, either lie over the slots inthe block 13, or free the slots so that the ballot holders may be lifted out.

Attached to the lovver end of the block vis the ballot holder table 20, which is` braced to the cap 10 by braces 21. Thev table 20 has a seriesV of posts 22, one for each ballot holder.r Theballot holders themselves are in the torni of flat thinplates 23, having sleeves 24 at their outer end;v As sojconstructed the holders may be dropped in a place with the sleeve portions over tie posts 22, and the inner ends in theslots of the central block. Resting on the top of the block 10 is a truncated conical shaped cover 25, havinga depending flange 26, which rides overa cylindrical casing .27 locatedV on the base The cover is held removably in place ybymeanjsof a'padlock 28 engaging a lug 2 9'that passes through the top of the cover. ,Located on the cover are a series of lingers 30, onev for each ballot holder andr indicating the position of the ballot holder, which lingers vmay beused to mount cards containing the name, otlice and partyof the candidate.y Mounted on the cylinder'27 is an indicator 31 Which marks the point opposite' which a ballot" holder'must be brought in order tol make aA mark thereon.

The cover is Ii'anipiilated'by means' of hand grips 25a and through the lug 29 on the cap 10, serves as a driver to move the ballot holders to the station for making a mark by one for each candidate; that the revoluble cover will contain indications so thatthe voter can bring to the marking point the ballot of the candidate for whom he wishes to vote, whereupon, he will depress a lever, to rotate the ballot and make a mark by perforating the ballot which `he has brought into position, and that by preventing the revolving parts from moving in any but one dire-ction, and providing a lock which will come into operation after one complete rotation, a

very'simple and convenient voting mechanism is provided.

Ballot holders The ballot holder plates 23 serve to mount pivot studs 32 on which are located large ratchets 33. The ballots as illustrated in Fig. 9, are circular pieces of paper or cards 34 appropriately printed and calibrated at their margin, and on which margin a series of punch marks 35 are to be made. These ballot papers have central holes 36 which are mounted over a collar 37, set on the stud 32. Dished plates 38 slotted at the margin as` at 39,'to make them resilient, are mounted over the collar 37 and nuts 40 serve to hold these plates 38 against a ballot which is inserted, and rests against the large ratchet 33 with its margin projecting from the ratchet. The collar 37 is held in place by a screw 41 engaging the stud 32.

The result of this structure is that each time the ratchet is advanced one tooth, the ballot itself is revolved one space, On the plates 23 are-spring centering pawls 42, which engage the ratchet 33; The plates 23 are slotted near their inner end for passage of two studs 43 and V44. These studs engage in a flat bar 45 having a C shaped lower end 46. On the opposite side of the plate 23 from the bar 45 is mounted the pawl 47, which by gravity engages Ythe ratchet 33 and also a plate 48 whichsteadies and guides the motion ot the bar 45. The slots in the plate 23 -for the mounting studs 43 and 44 are so pro-portioned `that pushing up on the end 46 of the bar 45 will advance the pawl tomove the ratchet 23 one notch.

The holder table 20 is provided with narrow slots 49 which receive the margins 34a of eachballot card, when it is vin place in the machine. Secured on the under side of the table 20 are a series of punch mechanisms, one

i for each ballot' card. "These punch mechanisms as shown, particularly in Figures 7 and 8, have mounting plates 50 for securing them in and out late-rally across the slot 52' of the n punch, the outer end of the die being secured to a plate 54. This plate 54 has also a pin 55 thereon around which is a spring 56 seated in am dwell 57 in the body 51. The pin 55 is guided in the body. The result of this construction is such that when the plate 54 is thrust inwardly, the punch will operate across the slot 52, and that when the pressure is released the punch will return to its outer position, permitting the ballot card to berevolved withits margin in the slot 52.

' lt will be noted that the ballotmounting means now described, is such that ordinary paper, cardboard, or the like, may be used as a ballot, in view of the fact that the margin is guided absolutely flat and is held on both sides in the punching mechanism itself at all times.

Y The Operating mechanism Mounted on the lower collar 12, which it will be. recalled is liked on the revolving sleeve 9, is a toothed dise'57. Secured on the plate 6 is a stud 58 that'inounts a pawl 59, which engages a roller 59a in the teeth of the plate 57 to delinitely locate the ballot, and

due to the configuration of the teeth prevents f rotation of the machine except in the direction of the arrow 60 (Fig.l 4), the spring 61 serving to keep the pawl in mesh with the teeth of the plate 57. Mounted on the plate 5 is a bracket 62 which is bifurcated at its upper end as at 63i'or pivotally supporting a latch bar 64. This bar 64 rests on the disc 57 in other than a radial position, and mounted near the center of the plate 57 is a stop 65 formed of an angle plate ot metal which is in a position at right anglesto the inner'end of the latch bar 64. The Larrangement is such that when the end ofthe latch bar comes opposite the vabutment 65, the rotation of the mechanism is stopped. To release the mechanism for anotheroperation requires the vuse o1 a key for swinging the bar 64 upwardly, and a small spring latch 66 is set in the abutment 65, so that when the bar 64 is kicked up over the topl of the abutment, it will be held there by the latch '66 until the mechanism has been rotated through a small portion of its path', whereupon the bar 64 will drop on to the disc 57, `ready to stopthe rotation ofthe machine. after it has completed another complete revolution. The bar 64 is kicked up by means of the ykey in the control of the election officials in charge of the booth.

On the bracket 62 is a rod 67 which projects outwardlyv to an vavailable point, and the key 'l llO Vthe lower end 46 of the pawl operating bar 45, and moves it upwardly advancing the ratchet 323 one tooth. Also arranged on the slide isa slanting finger 7a, which will engage the plate 54 of the punch and move it inwardly as the slide is operated. The slide is shown in its inner position in vFigure l, and its advanced position in Figure 2, and it will be observed that the first operation is to move upwardlythe pawl operator, advancing the ballot, and the second operation is to move inwardly the punch, marking the ballot in its newly advanced area. The pawl operator will stay in its upper position as shown in Figure 2 unt-il it is positively lowered from that position for a purpose which will be described.. 'Ihe means for operating the slide consists of a handle pivoted at 76, ina bracket depending from the mounting plate 5; the inner end of the handle is toothed as .at 77 for engagement with a full throw pawl 78. Also mounted on the handle is a cam 79. on which rests a'pin S0, which pin passes through a hole in the plate 5 and Vcarries a plunger 81, which plunger moves upwardly through a hole 62 in a disc 20, here being one hole for each ballot holder. The conformation of the plungerl will be such that it acts as a positive locating device for the disc 20. It will also be observed that if the plunger 8l cannot rise through the hole,

, the operatibn of the handle isblocked.

Secured fast to the handle is an arm 83 which is connected to a link 8, said link being pivotally connected to the slide. The advanced position of the pawl for the ratchet of any one ballot is maintained to limit each Vvoter to one mark thereon, and this can be used as an indication of whether or not the ballot holder has 'been operated. Accordingly the pawl is held in its upper position by friction between the plate 23 and the slide bar l5 which moves the pawl until it is positively pulled down. The mechanism for pulling down the pawland its operator, as illustrated in Figure l, is diametrically opposite the main operating device, but this is for convenience in illustration, as it will be preferable to have this clearing device located adjacent to the locking bar 64, to the end that Vup until the last operation of the machine at the end ofone complete rotation, it will be f possible for the election oficial to observe at the request of a voter, by-unlocking and removing the cover 25, what ballot holders have been operated. The device itself consists of a plate 85 mounted on a supporting post 86, and having a cam finger 87, that engages-in: the Ci shaped end 46 of thevpawl operating'bar, and as the machine is revolved, pulls it down.

It is obvious that some other type of indicator could be used, and itis also obvious Y that end I provide the disc 2() with suitable` holes 88, in which inhibiting plates may be mounted. One of these plates is illustrated in Figure e, at 89. In Figure 4, the plate 89 is in position so that it will not block the rise of the centering plunger 8l, which it will be recalled, must rise through a hole 82 in a disc 20, in order that the operating handle may be moved. IIowever, when the plunger 8l' rises, its end is shaped so as to strike the one endof the plate 89 and rock it to the position shown in dotted lines at 89a. This will serve to bring the other end of the plate 89 in a position to block the next adjacent hole 82 in a dise 20, thereby preventing a voting operation with respect to the ballot held in, theholder at its neXt station. lIhe plate 89 couldv be configured to close more than one adjacent hole 82; To return the plate 89 to normal position, a cam plate 90 is secured to the cylindrical casing and projects up into the path of the plate 89;

t is believed that the operation of the mavchine will now'be clear VWithout further description, and that from the point of view of the essential features involved, a Wide variety of equivalent mechanical devices could be utilized to set up the various features of the operation of the machine, and provide the necessary interlocks and operation controls.

Havingthus describedfmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is li. In a voting machine, a plurality of movable ballots,'meansfor marking said ballots` operating means for said, marking means, meansrfor causing movement of selected ones of said ballots into positionfwhereby said operating means `may Y actuate said marking means to mark on the ballot, and means for causing movement of said ballots to present successive portions thereof to the marking means.4 y Y l 2. In a voting machine, a plurality of mov# CTE able ballots, means for marking said ballots, operating means for said marking means, means for causingmovement of selected ones otl said ballotsv into position vvhereby said operating means may actuate said marking means to mark on the ballot and means operated by said operating means preliminary to its actuation of said marking means for causing movement of said ballots to present successive portions thereof to the marking means.

3. ln a Voting machine, a plurality of movable ballots, means for marking said ballots, operating means 'for said marking means, means for causing movement of selected ones of said ballots into position whereby said operating means may actuate said marking means to mark on the ballot, a plurality of means operated by said operating means preliminary to its Vactuation of said marking means, one for causing movement of said ballots to present successive portions thereof to the marking means and the other tor xing the ballot in its said position.

ll. In a voting machine, a plurality of movable ballots, marking means for each ballot, moving therewith, a stationed operating means to operate said marking means, means for causing movement of selected ones of said ballots and their respective marking means into position whereby said op rating means may actuate said marking means to mark on the ballot, and means for causing movement of saidballots to present successive portionsy thereof to the marking means.

5. ln a votingl machine a rotary ballot table, having means for mounting a series of ballot holders removably thereon, ballot holders mounted on said means, a cover moving with the table and removable to make theballot holders available, marking means for ballots carried on the table, and stationed means for actuating said marking means.

6. In a voting machine a rotary ballot table,

having means for mounting a series of ballot portion being perforated.

7. ln a voting machine a rotary ballot table, having means Jfor mounting a series of ballot holders removably thereon, ballot holders mounted on said means, perforating means for ballots carried on the table, stationed means' 'for actuating said pertorating means, said ballots being'circular cards, means for operating thefperforating means, and means located on the ballot holders and operated by said operating means for moving the cards rin a rotary direction irreversibly, preceding each marking operationv and as a necessary incident-thereto.

8. In a voting machine a rotary ballot table, having means for mounting a series of ballot holders removably thereon, ballo-t holders mounted on said means, perforating means for ballots carried on the table, stationed means for actuating said pertorating means, said perfo-rating means for the ballot coinprising a slotted member in the slot of Which l the ballots are located so as to support the portion being perforated, said ballots being circular cards, means Jfory operating the perfoi-ating means, and means located on the ballot holders and operated by said operating means for moving the cards in a rotary direction irreversibly, accompanying each marking operation and as a necessary incident thereto. Y

9. In a voting machine, a series of ballots arranged along a plane. at an angle'to their faces, an'cperating device, said ballots and said operating device being relatively movable in said plane to juxtapose the operating device and successive ballots, andthe operating device and each juxtaposed ballot being relatively movable in a plane along the faces of the ballots, to establish operative relation of the operating device to various portions of each ballot, and means operated by the operating device lWhen in said operative relation, to mark each portion of each ballot.

l0. ln a voting machine, a series of ballots, marking devices, one for each ballot, and an operating device, said ballots and their marking devices and said operating meansbeing relatively movable to establish operative relation of each marking device to various portions oic the respective ballot and to establish operative relation of the operating device to each marking device, whereby the operating devicemay operate to mark each portion of each ballot.

1l. ln a voting machine, a series of ballots, an operating device,y said ballots and said operating device having relative movement in one plane to-establish operative relation'of said operating device to each ballot, and each ballo-t and saidoperating device also having relative movement in another plane to establish operative relation of said operating device to various portions ot each ballot, and means operated by the operating device when in said operative relation, to mark each portion of each ballot. Y

l2. In a voting machine, aseries of units,.

each comprising a marking device anda feeding device to move a ballot to bring various portions of the ballot into position to be z device to a ballot, means whereby said feed- `ing device is limited to a single actua-tion during operative relation of the operating device to each ballot, and means operated by the operating device When in said operative relation, to mark each portion of each ballot.

14. In a voting machine, a rotatable carrier limited to rotation in onedirection, units removably mounted on said carrier, each comprising aA rotatable ballot, feeding means operative to rotate the ballot and a marking device operative to mark successive portions of the ballot set thereat by rotation of the ballot, a stationed operating device at Which the units are successively set by rotation of said carrier, adapted to operate the feeding means and marking device of each unit set thereat, a cover concealing the units and preventing access thereto except by said operating device, mean-s to render each feeding 4 means inoperative after a single ballot-portion-feeding operation in each setting thereof, means to restoreoperativeness of each feeding means upon rotation thereof past eachs-etting thereof, and means locking said carrier against rotation once in each revolution thereof;

ROBERT H. ZSCHAU. 

